Monthly Archives: August 2015

blowing rock outdoor wedding includes a mustang, a singing pastor and NO RAIN!

Rain is the bane of anyone planning, attending, photographing or getting married at an outdoor venue. But the sun shined for the Clampett’s wedding day. After 11 years of commitment and love (and frankly being too busy), these two turned to each other said, it’s time! So we were called in and then…… rain. Several portrait sessions with the bride were rescheduled due to rain and the engagement portraits ended up being shot after the bridal portraits, but we prayed that Sarah and Danny would have a rain free wedding day and, sure enough, they sealed the deal at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock NC on May 31st in perfect weather.

Clampett Wedding, Sarah Crisp, Danny Clampett, Wedding, ChetolaClampett Wedding, Sarah Crisp, Danny Clampett, Wedding, ChetolaClampett Wedding, Sarah Crisp, Danny Clampett, Wedding, ChetolaMost of us have heard of the union candle ceremony, where the bride and groom each light their separate candles and the pair then lights a candle that represents their union. Well it has been updated in the form of the sand box ceremony. The bride adds her sand, the husband his and it’s grounded with a third portion of sand that signifies the presence and their trust in God. This was Sarah and Danny’s choice and it was truly beautiful. The officiant is not only a friend of theirs and a pastor, but he also sang and read a poem that he wrote.

blowing rock nc photographers chetola resort wedding photography photos

blowing rock nc photographers chetola resort wedding photography photos

blowing rock nc photographers chetola resort wedding photography photosblowing rock nc photographers chetola resort wedding photography photosSarah and Danny embraced many of traditional elements for their photos: the bride with her bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen, their rings, Sarah’s first dance with her dad and the send off. All were just perfect and after being together for 11 years and not worried about planning so much, these two weathered the storms (yuk, yuk) and had a gorgeous wedding and reception.Clampett Wedding, Sarah Crisp, Danny Clampett, Wedding, ChetolaClampett Wedding, Sarah Crisp, Danny Clampett, Wedding, ChetolaClampett Wedding, Sarah Crisp, Danny Clampett, Wedding, Chetolablowing rock nc photographers chetola resort wedding photography photosblowing rock nc photographers chetola resort wedding photography photosblowing rock nc photographers chetola resort wedding photography photosblowing rock nc photographers chetola resort wedding photography photosDanny collects Mustangs and told us that choosing which one to bring to the wedding was harder than choosing his wedding wardrobe. He chose the right vest (we’re pretty sure Sarah played a hand), the right get-away car and the right girl.
Clampett Wedding, Sarah Crisp, Danny Clampett, Wedding, Chetola photo

Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night
And I love the rain.
– Langston Hughes

Like with all the other sessions we had with them, Sarah of course worried about rain on the wedding day, but it held out until just after the guests left the reception.
And then …. wait for it ……..it started to pour! <insert big smile here>

engagement photos for a couple heading into their second (destined) marriage

What once was lost, now is found.
Andy wasn’t lost, but finding Amber was akin to finding his other half. We know – it’s a cliché, but it’s true. People who belong together become family almost immediately and family is like that. We drag each other to the center, we raise each other’s game and we find ourselves wanting to be our best selves when we’re with the loves of our lives.
Their story is very near and dear to us, as Andy is actually a member of our family (first cousin). We photographed them in a casual mountain setting just down the road from where we cousins played growing up. Talk about a labor of pure love.

Cannon/Shumate Pixels On Paper Photography Engagement portrait photography photoCannon/Shumate Pixels On Paper Photography Engagement portrait photography photoThis is a second marriage for these two. After their first marriages ended, they were introduced and found that they were perfect for each other, ready for a new chapter and wanted to head into it arm and arm….. and arm! Andy has a daughter, Ashlyn, who loves her step-mom-to-be and Amber treats her soon-to-be stepdaughter like her own child. It’s beautiful to see and important to celebrate, we think. Sometimes first marriages don’t end the way that we want, but second marriages are a rebirth and a sign that hope not only exists, it triumphs. These two are proof of that. We loved that Ashlyn wanted to be a part of the photo session and is such an important piece, and focus, of their newly joined lives. She’s already benefitting from their union.Cannon/Shumate Pixels On Paper Photography Engagement portrait photography photoCannon/Shumate Pixels On Paper Photography Engagement portrait photography photoCannon/Shumate Pixels On Paper Photography Engagement portrait photography photoWe photographed Andy and Amber’s wedding on August 1st and it was beautiful. You’ll see the results soon! Meanwhile, are you getting REmarried or know someone who is? Contact us! Love prevails, people, in all of its forms!

Basket of joy – brock rollins – newborn and 6 month photos with the family!

Becky and Jackson Rollins were wedding clients of ours and we took their newborn son, Brock’s first professional portraits, so when it was time for his 6 month portraits session, the family – including their beloved Weimaraner, Shelby, made the trip from SC to our indoor and outdoor studios in Wilkesboro, NC. It’s always so interesting (and entertaining) to see how infants have changed in only a few months and baby Brock was no exception. Maybe it’s the bow tie, hard to say really, but he looked like a little man compared to teeny creature we first met in late 2014. The child on the left looks like he’s hanging on for dear life until his next nap and the boy on the right looks like the maitre d at one of Brooklyn’s finest Italian restaurants. For you – the cannoli are on the house!”

Brock's 6 month baby photography, pixels on paper studio family portrait photography photoBrock's 6 month baby photography, pixels on paper studio family portrait photography photo

Brock's 6 month baby photography, pixels on paper studio family portrait photography photoBrock's 6 month baby photography, pixels on paper studio family portrait photography photoBecky, like several of our client moms, always brings great outfits for Brock and at this session, the little dude was dapper. In fact the whole family was coordinated and they are such a handsome group, photographing them was the best. Brock was animated, the dog stood still, the weather was perfect and the laughter was constant.
The Rollins’ also love black and white photos, and display them prominently throughout their home, so we take time to make sure that there are images that translate well to black and white for them. We’re thrilled that our portraits are not just given away and stored in albums but prominently hung.
We’re looking forward to seeing this family again soon, with their pup in tow!

newborn portraits, siblings in the orchard, warmth and kid pictures

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. – Albert Camus

There’s something about this little lamb in that hat. She could be a newborn arrival during a winter in Newfoundland, all cozy indoors, but soon to be ready for her first pair of snowshoes and later for her first real spring. She sort of embodies that phrase “long winter’s nap” and we loved scooping her up from pose to pose as she dreamed spring dreams (maybe).

pixels on paper nc photographers newborn portrait photography photoBurton Family Newborn Portrait Photography photoThe pink bonnet worn above, by the way, has been handed down over 3 generations in her family and was one of the special touches they brought with them to the session.
Burton Family Newborn Portrait Photography photoBurton Family Newborn Portrait Photography photo

This little ones siblings are showcased in what looks like a spring dream – our favorite orchard – the first of April. Only a week before their little sister was born, we took these portraits of them. The family owns tons of gorgeous antique pieces of furniture and we incorporated several into the photographs of the kids. These two are so bright-eyed and photogenic; working with them was too fun.

Pixels On Paper Family Spring outdoor portrait photography photo

Pixels On Paper Family Spring outdoor portrait photography photo

pixels on paper nc photographers newborn portrait photography photo

Two weeks after the orchard session, they all returned to our studio and seeing the three of them together was truly special. They were so calm and gentle with their new sister. We can only imagine the adventures this trio is going to have in the years to come. At Pixels, we use the word gratitude often and that is not an accident. New lives, expanded families, the beginnings of marriages, milestone occasions waltz into our lives and studio every week and we are overcome with gratitude. Grateful we get a glimpse into the lives and joys of others and that we’ve been tapped to document those moments. It is an absolute blessing in so many ways.